A one-man commission headed by retired judge Gokuldas has held official negligence responsible for the Kallakurichi illicit liquor tragedy in 2024, in which 69 people died after consuming methanol-laced liquor.
The incident occurred on June 18 and 19 last year in the Kallakurichi district areas of Karunapuram, Madhavacheri and Seshsamuthiram. A total of 230 people were affected; 69 died and 161 suffered illness, according to the report.
The Villupuram CB-CID arrested 24 people, including those accused of selling the illicit liquor and supplying methanol. The commission recorded statements from survivors, families of the affected and deceased, and officials from the police and revenue departments.
The report, tabled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said officials failed to issue warnings in areas where illicit liquor was in circulation immediately after the incident came to light. It also called for departmental inquiries against officials who, it said, failed to prevent illicit liquor between the 2023 Villupuram hooch tragedy and the 2024 incident.
It recommended strict controls to prevent industrial methanol from reaching illegal liquor traders, and sought education and employment support for children who lost their parents in the tragedy.
